Ethan would always admit he wasn't fond of priests and also that he didn't understand much of them; however, Ethan did have an idea of what a priest was... and Igimo was certainly out of his understanding by a long shot.
The old man appeared late, burping and coughing as a thick scent of alcohol permeated the surrounding air. Ethan used his Ki to block his nose as the villagers greeted Igimo.
"You old bastard! Don't you know this is an important day?!"
"Were you dreaming of bitches or what to make you so late?"
"Fucking alcoholic!"
"Get over here quickly, you smelly bastard."
"..."
Ethan was also certain that was not the way to greet a 'grand' priest of the god you serve, but alas... He didn't know what was normal on this continent. Perhaps Igimo was the perfect definition of a priest here... or not.
He was the only priest Ethan knew, and the boy sincerely wished he was an outlier; even if Igimo was his benefactor, such behavior felt wrong to Ethan, but alas, he dismissed it as Igimo boarded the frontmost carriage and went back to sleep.
Ethan sighed as Ilika let out a chuckle, boarding the carriage. Ethan boarded after him, sitting next to the coachman as the villagers began to depart. A convoy of three carriages and several carts followed.
Somehow, Igimo's snoring surpassed the chatter of the villagers, and Ilika's constant questioning didn't make the trip any better. Regardless, Ethan patiently dealt with it all, observing the scenery and way towards Miniac.
The villagers eventually forced him into their chatter as well, to which he played along perfectly. His comprehension of Alapurian was good, and he only struggled with a few complex words. He was perfectly able to communicate, although he did have a hard time concealing his accent.
Ethan closely observed the route and the quality of the road, as well as the surrounding land. Once they were out of the borders of the village, the temperature of the surrounding area increased; it grew warmer, despite the white that still blanketed the surroundings.
Ethan raised his brows. Igimo, whom he thought was sleeping, answered for him.
"The Blessing of the Beast God ensures his lands always get a plentiful harvest."
As if on cue, Ethan's eyes noticed a shocking sight: as the temperature got warmer, a clear divide presented itself in the distance, where the snow came to a sudden halt. A clear line... and beyond it was a vast, vast field of gold.
Fields of golden wheat as far as the eye could see, a magical phenomenon he could not comprehend, for nothing he saw in Vakuma came even close.
The divide, the endless fields of wheat and other golden crops, along with hundreds of workers peacefully, joyfully tending to the farms. The state of the road became better, and the moment the convoy passed the divide... A warm breeze rattled Ethan.
"..."
"And thus, he decreed, let there be warmth; let your fields grow and grow until not a single stomach is left empty, and let the rivers flow and flow until not a single throat is parched."
Igimo continued behind the carriage as Illika finally went silent, peacefully enjoying the breeze and listening to the priest. The villagers were the same; no longer did they talk without pause but seemingly calmed down, enjoying the warm breeze, and the scent of wheat and pure land.
Ethan silently absorbed it all, and when Igimo was finished, he quietly asked.
"Why not build your villages here... in this plentiful warmth?"
"The greatest spring is but a sign of the cruelest winter."
"...?"
He didn't understand the cryptic message, confused as to if it was a personal message from Igimo that he wanted to teach Ethan or another scripture from his bible. Ethan didn't dwell on it for long and remained silent. He adopted the same behavior as the villagers and silently watched as the convoy went on.
He studied the surrounding land, the strange warmth that permeated the area, the fertile soil, the crops, the workers who waved to the convoy, the small peaceful buildings, and even the strange markings on the tools, buildings, and soil.
'Magic...'
He thought, eager to discover all of its secrets. The 'runes' were everywhere: on the tools of the villagers, in random, small clearings, and on the buildings. He even spotted some on the road, which glowed with a strange green light when they passed through it.
What was its purpose? What did it do? How did it affect the surrounding area? Was it the cause for the bountiful harvest? Of the warm breeze? If so... Ethan would stop at nothing to acquire it for Vakuma.
All of a sudden, his senses caught something else, a person moving at high speeds... in the skies. He looked up, locking eyes with a humanoid man with wings, dressed in what appeared to noble attire, carrying a chest made of blue wood and golden engravings.
An eagle-folk... must be a royal courier. Wonder where he is coming from..."
Ilika muttered as he watched the eagle-folk disappear into the horizon; Ethan continued to stare in the same direction. Even Igimo popped his head out of the carriage and stared, a grave look apparent on his face.
He didn't elaborate further, and the convoy silently continued its journey. Many of the villagers, if not all, kept praying as they went on, and Ethan...
Ethan felt strange as he continued going deeper and deeper into the land; it was as if the paranoia from his unusual situation seemingly disappeared.
Ethan felt as if he were... in peace. And the very moment he realized it, he violently shook his head, dispelling all such thoughts. Igimo chuckled slightly back in the carriage, and Illika was fast asleep, with a wide smile on his face.
"... What was that?"
Igimo smirked, as he answered.
"The blessing of the land, the magic of the Beast God. It happens to everyone, every time."
'Bullshit.'
Ethan cursed inwardly, focusing his Ki in his body, trying to get rid of any effects, when Igimo spoke.
"He who remains rigid will eventually fall to the tide."
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"It means that you need to take a chill pill, uselessly clinging to the despair of your situation will bring you more harm than good. It's good to be paranoid, but your taking it a step too far.
Merely plan ahead, and accept your situation as it is. No need to dwell on the negative for so long, all it will lead to is a failed harvest."
Ethan let out a sigh, refusing to talk further as the convoy slowly approached Miniac.